Cover Story

Farm Family of the Year: Willard family keeps farming tradition aliveJim Willard started driving a tractor on his family’s farm when he was about 8 years old and the only time he ever left the farm was his stint in basic training for the National Guard right out of high school. His brother, Roger, just has farming “in his blood,” according to his wife.

Jim, Roger, and Jim’s son, Mike, keep the family farm tradition alive and well at the Willard Family Farm just outside of Colton, S.D. The Willards have been named the Farm Family of the Year by the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce’s Agri-Business Division. They will be recognized at the 60th Annual Sioux Empire Farm Show, sponsored by the Chamber, in late January. ...Read Full Story

Chair's Column

Celebrate South Dakota's largest industry with usTechnology has changed the way we do business, enabling us to be more productive and more efficient. One industry that has continued to evolve is agriculture — South Dakota’s largest industry. Ag is a more than $20 billion industry in our state and while Sioux Falls’ economy has diversified over the years, agriculture still helps drive our local economy, too.

This month we honor agriculture with our annual Sioux Empire Farm Show, celebrating its Diamond Jubilee. More than 60 years ago, Chamber volunteers saw a need to develop a closer and more friendly and cooperative working relationship between the city of Sioux Falls and the agricultural area around it. ...Read Full Story